For the young adult reader, Legend by Marie Lu is the whole package. A dystopian future, tragic loss, teen angst, rebellion and love. What more could you want? I found myself reading this book well into the night, I could not put it down! As I write this, I’m itching to read the second one already!

Anyone who liked the Hunger Games will enjoy this book. There is the bad-ass girl, June Iparis, who fights for what is right, a devastatingly handsome boy with a tough exterior and a soft heart, Day, and even a little innocent girl, Tess, the “Rue” of the story. From the very first chapter, the reader is engaged by vivid imagery of Day’s world, and the challenges he faces. The next chapter, narrated by June, gives the reader insight into the Republic, and the elite population.I liked how Lue chose to alternate the narrator of each chapter between June and Day because the reader gets to know what each of them are thinking in a clear way. Young adult readers will appreciate the fast-paced action and the not-too-complex plot, a book that they could probably devour in a few days.

Legend would be an excellent source in the classroom to engage kids in discussions of relevant issues such as, authority, patriotism, class, power, etc. Paired with a non-fiction text, having students read Legend helps educators to create a lesson plan that would give their students a deeper understanding of complicated subjects. Due to some violent content, I would suggest that this book be offered to 7th graders and up.

What I’m excited about is the idea that we can help students become life long readers. I guess I have always kind of believed you either liked to read or you didn’t, that for some people reading was their thing, and for others it was math or science, etc. The revelation that everyone can be “readers”, can find joy in reading, is really encouraging. Not only that, but that you can even help high school students, the ones that you thought were too old and set in their ways become wild about reading, again, that is a shocker to me. I also am excited about hacking my future classroom so that it will be a place that my students will want to be. Miller talks about having bean bags and a comfy couch, and shelves of books, that’s what I want to do in my classroom too. I’m also excited about putting to use some of the practical tips, advice and methods she describes. For instance,the Status of the Class worksheet where students record what they are reading seems like a good tool to facilitate reading outside the classroom. So far, Miller’s book is full of helpful tools that I know I will be able to put to use in my classroom. I’m looking forward to reading more. Did I mention that I’m excited? Oh yeah, only about 12 times in this paragraph! Sorry, this was an “Oh shit” blog, as in “Oh shit, I forgot to do my blog!”

Growing up, I always had this fantasy; I would be with a group of people and I would say “you wanna know what I think?” and they would stop talking and actually listen to me. I would say something interesting or funny and they would react appropriately with nods of agreement or laughter. It was like a scene from a movie, or an after-school special that would play out in my head. In reality, I was the quiet one, too afraid to speak up for fear I would sound stupid. Even when I tried to join conversations, people would talk over me, because I lacked the confidence to make myself heard. To know me now, it’s hard to believe that I was ever shy, but I was. Maybe that is why I developed a love of books, and drawing, because I could lose myself in my own little world. I was about 11 when I really became addicted to books. It was “Flowers in the Attic” by VC Andrews that got me hooked. I don’t know how I got my hands on that book, but I knew that I was not supposed to be reading what my grandparents referred to as “that filth.” I spent a lot of time at my grandparent’s house, and they were very strict religious people. For me, reading was my escape, and my little act of defiance.

Fast forward to today, here I am, in my second semester at Chico State as a Junior, and loving it! I commute from Redding which might seem like a pain, but I actually enjoy the hour and a half of “me time.” My husband of 23 years, Mike, encourages me and supports me in all that I do. We have two daughters, Katie and Megan, who are 19 and 15, and they are my joy. I’m getting my degree in English Education because I plan on teaching high school English. I want to help kids find their voice, and become life long readers and writers. I can’t wait to have my own classroom and hack it the way I want it; floor to ceiling bookshelves, big comfy chairs, and an espresso maker. Okay, that might be pushing it, but a girl can dream.

Once upon a time in a far-away land….uh, no
This is not that kind of story
Yes, they have certain things in common
That is to say, they’re all pretty gory
Which story am I? I’ll tell you which ones I’m not
My Cinderella doesn’t wear the skin of a donkey or a cat
I mean, come on, what is up with that?
No over-bearing mother trying to run her son’s life
No sick, perverted father who wanted his daughter for his wife
No cave people, no fish bones, no sushi on a plate
No cook in the way of an impudent slut’s fate